5 great places to buy a holiday home and play golf in Spain

19 April 2016

Holidays are meant for relaxing and often that means getting away from it all with a club, a cart and a scorecard. This article by Tranio reviews the best places to buy a holiday home near some great golf courses in Spain.

1. Costa Del Sol – Sotogrande

Sotogrande has many golf courses and a marina

Sotogrande is an elite resort near the town of San Roque on the southernmost coast of Spain, the Costa Del Sol. There are many beautiful villas for high budget buyers (from €600,000) and smaller two-bedroom apartments (from €200,000) if you just want a weekend getaway. While it is quiet most of the year, the town comes alive during the summer when diplomats, celebrities and members of Europe’s royal families come here to relax.

Sotogrande has not one, but five golf courses in the near vicinity. For example, the Real Club of Golf Sotogrande was the town’s first course, planned by Robert Trent Jones and La Reserva Golf, open since 2013, was designed by Cabell B., a famous North American architect.

2. Mallorca – Cala d’Or

Cala d’Or has one of the best golf courses and great beaches

Mallorca is the biggest island of the Balearic archipelago. With many amenities like international schools, regular flights and plenty to do, it is a great place for a holiday home or permanent residence. There are 24 golf clubs on the island. Cala d’Or on the southern coast is a beautiful village with fabulous sea views and plenty of greens within driving distance. Property prices here range from €115,000 for a one-bedroom flat to €400,000 for a villa.

The Val d’Or 18-hole course was redesigned by American architect Bradford Benz in 1993, turning into a challenging and stunning course right beside the sea. Alternatively, Son Gual Golf Course, just a 50-min drive away, was rated “best golf course in Mallorca” by Simply Golf Mallorca in 2015.

3. Costa del Garraf – Castelldefels – Gavà

After a session on the green, there’s always time to take in a carnival

The Costa Del Garraf is the coast closest to Barcelona and an elite holiday destination. It has many attractions including the chance to play golf with famous FC Barcelona football players, who are probably your neighbours too. It is accessible by train from the Catalonian capital and has long open beach. Property prices are just as expensive as in Barcelona, starting from €3,500 per square metre up to €12,000.

The local Terramar Golf Club is one of the oldest clubs in Spain, inaugurated back in 1922. This club has an 18-hole course, a driving range as well as a restaurant and swimming pool. With 300 days of sunshine each year, it is possible to tee off all year round.

4. Costa Brava – Girona

Costa Brava is famous for its natural beauty

The northern city of Girona in Catalonia is a medieval masterpiece of culture, museums and cobbled streets. It has one of the best nightlife scenes and restaurants in the whole region as well as many stunning examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It is an upmarket city in terms of property – the median house is €395,000.

Girona is just a 30-min drive from the famous PGA Catalyuna Resort that incorporates two championship-level courses. In the last three years, it has received 10 awards for the sheer quality of its greens and clubhouse amenities.

5. Costa Blanca – Alicante

Alicante is the second biggest city in Valencia

Alicante is the most popular destination in Spain for British property buyers thanks to the low property prices and sunny weather all year round. It has many flights throughout the year, especially by low-cost carriers. There are many different restaurants and bars along the port as well as historical monuments dating back to the times of the Moors. Property in the area is cheap, ranging from €50,000–60,000 for a one-bedroom flat to €100,000–130,000 for a three-bedroom house.

There are at least 11 golf courses in the vicinity of Alicante, many of which have low green fees but stunning views like Ifach Golf Club (located on a country estate). The Sella Golf Club near Denia was the headquarters for the Ladies European Tour and the Spanish Female Championship.